I'm aware that I probably should have done an end of year summery type thing for 2008, alas, my memory is slipping in my old age. So I shall write something regarding the forthcoming events/releases of 2009.
As for events, you can expect reviews of Hellfest (French metal festival) and Bloodstock (my annual 3 days of drinking ale and eating Asda brand crisps). Yes, yes, I know this deprives you of my online company for 9 days (France is a long ways away) out of the year, but you'll just have to cope. Please, for the love of what ever divine being you believe in, don't expect anything covering all the main bands of the festival. You truly do not understand my level of laziness, it's something most of you could only dream to attain. Sure, seeing Manowar and Gama Bomb are going to be grand times for myself, but to be truly happy and content at a festival I need to be in a camping chair, have a crate of half decent booze near by, as well as a nice mountain of cheap crisps to gorge on without having to live the nightmare of standing up. If I were being paid to review the festivals or some how be granted free entry from a magazine/website, then yes, I would go and see all the key bands of the weekend, but as it happens I don't get paid, both festivals have been paid out of own wallet. More self-funded gigs are bound to pop up throughout the year.
I can hope that Zimmers Hole finally reach UK shores to do a headline tour or at least support a decent band (piss off am I giving money to Soilwork). 2009 will apparently be the final year that NIN (Nine Inch Nails, be ashamed if you needed to peer between these brackets) do big tours, fair enough (as long as I get to see them).
Nearly a year has gone past since I decided to enter this business, no pay offers have appeared (not that I expected one to so soon), but worry not, I plan at sticking to what I do for as long as I can. I'll be fucked if I'm spending the rest of my days wearing a suit (unless I get to be an Akercocke roadie) and handing out advice about a subject that I couldn't care less about.
I adore music, if it were to take the form of a female human I would happily ask it out on a date and not care if it slapped me in a face and gave me the 'last man on Earth' speech because I adore it that much. I would persist in following it even after all the stalking charges and court orders. I don't want to come off as one of those 'music is my life maaaaan' douche bags, but there are few things that I enjoy more in this world than going to concerts and listening to CD's.
Many will say that seeking happiness throughout your whole life is foolish and I can see why. But I don't aim to seek happiness all the time, I just desire to avoid soul crushing misery on a day to day basis. If you can't be happy with at least one large aspect of your life why bother living it?
Now, back to the music. Upcoming releases this year that will no doubt be on this site, or ones I work for will include:
Mastodon-Crack the Skye
After dismissing everything expect Blood and Thunder for nearly 3 years, I finally get this utterly astounding band.
Devin Townsend-Ki (hopefully)
My love for this man (not in that way) is unrivaled by any other musician. Although it nearly brought me to tears when I found out that he may never tour again, I still look forward to his new album as if it were a new kind of explosion I was Michael Bay.
Lamb of God-Wraith
I wouldn't consider it insulting if I called LOG a generic metal band, because they are a good generic metal band, just like Machine Head (even if The Blackening hype is getting pissingly annoying) but unlike Disturbed. The new song they released sounds very promising, a nice bit o' change to their style.
Pearl Jam-??? (hopefully)
There have been whispers circulating around the internet that the greatest rock band of all time is back in the studio recording a follow up to 2006's brilliant effort. Oh, and yes, a UK tour (tour! not single date exclusive to fan clubs members only!) is desired greatly.
Alice in Chains-???
'Oh no! Layne Staley isn't on vocals, it's not really AIC!' Shut the fuck up! You obviously didn't witness the greatest live musical event of the last 10 years at the Astoria in 2006. Mr DuVall is a damn good replacement for Layne, sure he hasn't got the iconic voice, but what he does, he does damn well.
On top of this little top 5 list there is also new material from Municipal Waste, Katatonia, Alestorm, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, Rammstien, Sepultura, Napalm Death, Porcupine Tree, Cathedral and many others...
If you have been arsed to have read all this, well done and thank you.
Mark
